Two extra Gatwick weekend slots are secured by Aurigny

The airline said the new slots would help to increase capacity on weekly flights by 35% this coming winter compared with last.

It said it now planned to introduce a new 12.10pm departure from Guernsey on Saturdays and a 5.15pm departure on Sundays.

‘Ensuring that our island remains well connected throughout the winter season is essential as we want to ensure we are doing all we can to serve the people of Guernsey and our visitors,’ said Aurigny’s chief commercial officer Sudeep Ghai.

‘This expansion is a direct response to the clear preference demonstrated by our passengers, who have consistently favoured London Gatwick as their London airport of choice.

‘We are committed continually to improving and expanding our services to meet the needs of the Bailiwick community.’

A tender competition for the Gatwick slots started in May.

Aurigny was announced as the winner after months of consideration by the airport.

Aurigny announced that its winter schedule would now offer about 7,600 seats per week to and from London, which it said would be an increase of more than a third on the same period last year.

The first of the new Guernsey to Gatwick weekend slots will be available from the end of October.

Return flights are scheduled to operate on Saturdays at 1.40pm, arriving in Guernsey at 2.50pm, and on Sundays at 7.10pm, arriving in Guernsey at 8.20pm.

Aurigny said the announcement would provide travellers with more flexibility for their weekend travel plans and play a crucial role in the airline achieving its objective of supporting both leisure and business travel between Guernsey and London.

But Economic Development’s lead for tourism, Simon Vermeulen, said he had been concerned about the Gatwick route since Aurigny removed its 120-seat Embraer jet from service in the spring, and would have preferred to see the larger aircraft retained rather than adding extra flights on ATRs now serving the route.

‘Getting rid of the jet was the wrong decision,’ said Deputy Vermeulen.

‘Having an aircraft that seated 120 people meant that if there was disruption you could transport a lot of people in one go.

‘I want tickets to be affordable and the routes to be reliable and we are not seeing that.

‘Instead, we are here with a load more problems after a disastrous year.’